metabolic testing?

mg_89
mg_89 Posts: 189 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
My doctor offers some health coaching and one of the things they use is a baseline metabolic testing to guide the meal plan ideas... can anyone speak to their experience with this? I want to be sure it's helpful before actually doing it.. thanks!

M

Replies

  • hwoeltjen
    hwoeltjen Posts: 199 Member
    It may be helpful...but it is not necessary. You can figure this rate out yourself through trial and error. I am assuming even a lab test has margins for error.

    I would just focus on becoming an expert in the field of you. Meaning, your meal plans should be guided by factors like how you feel, your weekly results, and even general macro nutrient guidelines.

    I mean go for it if you want to get it done. However, if you are trying to figure out how much this will help....my guess is it isn't something that will increase results dramatically.
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    It's a neat tool to use if you want a pretty accurate reading of your metabolic rate. However, check the cost to get it done. IMO, if it's over $100 of your own money spent, then I wouldn't advise it since in most cases we're talking a difference of 20-75 calories.

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  • geekyjock76
    geekyjock76 Posts: 2,720 Member
    Whether or not Resting Metabolic Rate or Active Metabolic Rate testing is helpful depends on a lot of personal factors.

    Some people like to know as much baseline data as possible - if they do not wish to establish known energy needs through self-experimentation - since it will lead to more accurate numbers in calculating food intake while restricting calories.

    On a related note, people commonly underestimate their RMR and TDEE - very overweight persons and young, female athletes tend to be further off than other group. RMR can comprise of 60-70% of TDEE in most people, or less in those extremely active. Thus, at least knowing your RMR may dispel inaccurate notions that you have low total energy expenditure or a "slow" metabolism.

    You can definitely determine your actual TDEE by patience through accurately accounting for everything you eat and drink with consistent use of a digital food scale. In fact, during the contemplation stage, I always encourage people to do the above when they are considering a fat loss intervention. They can also use this time to educate themselves on the process of fat loss [with emphasis on preservation of lean mass] and maintenance.
  • husseycd
    husseycd Posts: 814 Member
    I love numbers so I had mine tested. Did it really change anything? No, but I still like the numbers. I'll probably have it tested again, just so I can compare.

    It's most helpful if you think yours might be lower than average. There can be a huge difference. My RMR is 200 calories more per day than a friend's who is actually heavier and younger than me.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    I love numbers so I had mine tested. Did it really change anything? No, but I still like the numbers. I'll probably have it tested again, just so I can compare.

    It's most helpful if you think yours might be lower than average. There can be a huge difference. My RMR is 200 calories more per day than a friend's who is actually heavier and younger than me.

    It's good to note, as anecdotal as it may be, that your body composition might be better than your friend. Keeping in mind, that lean body mass plays a huge factor in metabolic rates.

    And based on your profile pics, you look awesome and pretty fit.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    If it's worth it to you to know the number it's a fun thing to do. Most people's metabolism's are pretty close to the same so unless you suspect you have some metabolic disease that may be hampering your life I wouldn't spend the money.
  • mg_89
    mg_89 Posts: 189 Member
    Thanks for all the replies!

    The health coaching my doc office offers does some baseline work and nutrition education. I struggle to sort through some of the food advice out there, so was thinking it might be good.. but $125 for the initial visit (which includes the testing, plus an overall assessment and recommendation) + 295 for 4 visits after that... meh.. I dunno. It seems like the science is clear.. calories in, calories out.. watch the carbs and crap, cut sugar and soda.. not sure if it's worth the money. Again, appreciate the responses.
  • psuLemon
    psuLemon Posts: 38,431 MFP Moderator
    Thanks for all the replies!

    The health coaching my doc office offers does some baseline work and nutrition education. I struggle to sort through some of the food advice out there, so was thinking it might be good.. but $125 for the initial visit (which includes the testing, plus an overall assessment and recommendation) + 295 for 4 visits after that... meh.. I dunno. It seems like the science is clear.. calories in, calories out.. watch the carbs and crap, cut sugar and soda.. not sure if it's worth the money. Again, appreciate the responses.

    You dont need to watch carbs (short of having a medical condition like insulin resistance) nor sugar. Its really just calories in vs out. Its a better investment to get a food scale and make sure you are meticulous. I would suggest having a good amount of protein though and resistance training to help maintain muscle mass. Take about 70 to 80 % of you weight in grams of protein.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I've had mine tested twice at a hospital affiliated lab research facility. I'm a data geek so to me it was worth it. I was sure my RMR would end up lower than average due to a few medical conditions I have. But, it was 10% higher than all the online calculators. I was very surprised. When I first had it tested, online calculators suggested around 1450 to 1500 was right. Actual value was 1662. The second time (about 28 lbs. lighter and just over a year later), online calculators suggested 1350 to 1400. Actual was 1521. Did it change anything I was doing? Not really. But, with that and the BF testing I had done at the same time, it's great to know that I'm not messing up my body composition nor my metabolism with all my "evil" cardio LOL. Yes, I strength train twice a week too, but my main form of exercise is running so lots of cardio.
  • bellesouth18
    bellesouth18 Posts: 1,071 Member
    Go for it! If you can afford the cost, why not? The more information you have, the merrier IMHO. I'd love to know what mine is, along with an accurate body fat % test.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    If youre losing weight I dont recommend it.

    I hit a plateau from hell after dropping over 30#. I went 3-4 months and couldnt lose anymore. I had my RMR tested and discovered that it was low and I needed to eat more. I did so and started losing a little again.

    The test consists of breathing through an analyzer and takes less than 15 minutes. The dietician then spent the rest of the hour on going over diet plans and answering questions I had.

    The going rate for RMR testing is around $40 - $70 (I paid $60). I wouldnt pay $125. Stick with MFP and spend the money on new clothes.
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    If youre losing weight I dont recommend it.

    I hit a plateau from hell after dropping over 30#. I went 3-4 months and couldnt lose anymore. I had my RMR tested and discovered that it was low and I needed to eat more. I did so and started losing a little again.

    The test consists of breathing through an analyzer and takes less than 15 minutes. The dietician then spent the rest of the hour on going over diet plans and answering questions I had.

    The going rate for RMR testing is around $40 - $70 (I paid $60). I wouldnt pay $125. Stick with MFP and spend the money on new clothes.

    The test should take longer than that if done in a medical facility. It will be more accurate too. You need to be fasting, no exercise for 24 hours, and do the test first thing in the morning. You will lay down in a dark room for about 30 minutes. They then put a hood over your head and you breathe normally, without moving, for 30 minutes. No moving, no talking, no sleeping (that's the hard part!), no music, no distractions. The university health system I use is pricey - the test costs $150.
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    If youre losing weight I dont recommend it.

    I hit a plateau from hell after dropping over 30#. I went 3-4 months and couldnt lose anymore. I had my RMR tested and discovered that it was low and I needed to eat more. I did so and started losing a little again.

    The test consists of breathing through an analyzer and takes less than 15 minutes. The dietician then spent the rest of the hour on going over diet plans and answering questions I had.

    The going rate for RMR testing is around $40 - $70 (I paid $60). I wouldnt pay $125. Stick with MFP and spend the money on new clothes.

    The test should take longer than that if done in a medical facility. It will be more accurate too. You need to be fasting, no exercise for 24 hours, and do the test first thing in the morning. You will lay down in a dark room for about 30 minutes. They then put a hood over your head and you breathe normally, without moving, for 30 minutes. No moving, no talking, no sleeping (that's the hard part!), no music, no distractions. The university health system I use is pricey - the test costs $150.

    Hood over the head? LOL

    I had my test in a medical facility...fasting, no exercise, relaxed state. Seems some include a lot of "voodoo" in order to charge extra.

    Again, if youre losing weight save your money.
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    I wouldn't bother unless I truly suspected that I was personally a statistical outlier and that my metabolism fell outside of those statistical averages. For most people, these calculators are going to be fairly accurate give or take, especially if you know your BF% to some relative accuracy.

    For the vast majority, if it's not working, it's not because they're some kind of statistical outlier...it's generally because they aren't being as precise as they could be and should be and are underestimating intake and overestimating burn.
  • mg_89
    mg_89 Posts: 189 Member
    the hood over the head made me laugh... LOL... other than that.. all great advice, thanks. I think I'm going to save my money for now.

    And yeah, I'm watching the sugar intake because it makes me sluggish and just crave more crap.

    again, thanks :)
  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I'll be sure to let the University of Michigan medical system know they're partaking in "voodoo".

    This is what it should look like: Trying-not-to-fall-asleep-during-a-RMR-test-640x853.jpg

    This is less accurate: newsletter_250377_99d1e48227a067b838a84499f4c709e2.jpg
  • Greenrun99
    Greenrun99 Posts: 2,065 Member
    I had both the hood and the face mask (not like that picture) done several times in a week (free college study so it was over a few days) and I gotta say it was nice to see the numbers and everything.. I was pretty close to where I thought it was.. but as other's have mentioned I probably wouldn't spend over $100 to get the numbers
  • Doodlewhopper
    Doodlewhopper Posts: 1,018 Member
    I'll be sure to let the University of Michigan medical system know they're partaking in "voodoo".

    This is what it should look like: Trying-not-to-fall-asleep-during-a-RMR-test-640x853.jpg

    This is less accurate: newsletter_250377_99d1e48227a067b838a84499f4c709e2.jpg

    LOL please dont snitch on me!:sad: Be sure and inform the Michigan U. that super accuracy is only good for the day the test was conducted. RMR (as well as resting heart rate & emotion) is not consistent from day to day and there is no reason for the voodoo gris gris other than for market purposes.....a fool and his money.....

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